Interim evaluation of the integrated pest management/environmental protection project (0[9]36-4142)

The evaluation covers the period 10/85-11/88. The project's activities and staffing patterns contradict the IPM philosophy in that they place more emphasis on pesticide use than on the promotion of ecologically sound pest management. The project's original focus on IPM has been further reduced by cuts in core funding. The primary contractor, the Consortium for International Crop Protection (CICP), has experienced several problems in implementation: (1) networking activities to ensure a flow of IPM information between member institutions and developing country plant protection programs are weak and undeveloped; (2) a system for evaluating CICP's performance, though called for in the 1985 review, has not yet been established; and (3) research efforts have been meager, with only minimal short-term and no long-term research. Regarding the last, the scope of work should place more emphasis on non- chemical pest control methodologies. In order to ensure compliance with the contract, CICP will need to reorganize and redistribute activities and resources. In particular, CICP needs to develop a comprehensive outreach program to inform Missions of its activities and encourage buy-in support (for which more core funding is essential); expand its consulting base and provide better institutional support for consultants; and develop close links with other A.I.D.-funded IPM projects. On the positive side, CICP has provided high-quality training to some 1,153 participants through 34 courses (8 on pesticides and 26 on IPM-related issues). However, training impact cannot be evaluated due to a lack of follow-up. The project's ecological assessment activities have also been excellent, and could be expanded with measurable impact. CICP, or a similar organization, is essential if A.I.D. is to support IPM as a component of crop protection programs. Continued funding should be considered.